Reproductive Health
Despite the gradual improvement in some health indicators over the past decades, the reproductive health status of the population in Pakistan remains much below the desired level when compared with countries of similar socio-economic conditions. It is observed that family planning and health services and supplies have not been adequate to meet the needs and demands of a fast-growing population, resulting in severe health problems for young children and their mothers, especially those belonging to poor households and living in rural areas.
Many women have a high risk of dying due to pregnancy and childbirth complications, especially in rural areas. Maternal mortality rate remains high at 340 per 100,000 live births. Research evidence shows that almost 80% of maternal deaths are resulting from antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage, reproductive infections and eclampsia, whereas hepatitis is the most frequently cited means of maternal death from indirect causes.
Several factors have contributed to keeping the reproductive health status low in Pakistan. While poverty and an inadequate health care system in terms of supply and management problems underlie the poor health status of the population, women face peculiar additional risks because of their reproductive characteristics and low socio-economic status.
Information on specific illness and problems related to reproductive health is very limited, particularly for men and adolescents in Pakistan. Data available from some national-level surveys show selected aspects of RH including those on fertility, family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, delivery and infant health which provide a general and broad view of the state of reproductive health in Pakistan. However, specific information related to other RH problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive complications and infections, infertility, abortions, reproductive health education and healthy sexuality is scarce and not available on national and provincial levels. Considering the intensity of the reproductive health problems in Pakistan, WEG started a mass awareness campaign in nine major districts of Pakistan back in 2013, engaging different stakeholders like media, clergy, government and youth to inculcate life skills-based education in the adolescents and provide end-to-end guidance to women about their reproductive health risks and fixes.